our focus and inspiration is you

Our artists

We’re incredibly fortunate and proud to have the talented, vibrant, and enthusiastic team we have at Folio. Please take a moment to read a little more about who we are as individuals, what we do, and how we strive to make your experience at Folio the best it can possibly be.

If you’re new to Folio and would like help finding the best stylist-match for you, please feel free to contact our front-desk staff for guidance. We’ll be more than happy to help.

Larry Pruitt

partner / stylist

I first stepped behind the chair in 1976. I was young, eager, and ready to show the world my talents. How little did I know.

I began to work with some really amazing people—more experienced, and willing to help me to grow. I saw the way they engaged with their clients, and they created happiness. My skills evolved, and I hungered for more. I attended Vidal Sassoon, and received intense training—I became a better hairdresser. I went on to study with the hairdressers I respected most, in LA, Toronto, New York, and London. It was always about perfecting my craft. After all of these years, the passion is still with me. I still love cutting hair, and my color work is natural, reflective, and rich.

As the owner of Folio, I have dedicated my experiences to teaching others what I’ve learned along the way. I’ve guided many hairdressers through our training program and discovered there’s a reciprocal value in teaching—because with every new experience, the teacher is learning, too. I love to see young hairdressers flourish, find the rhythm in their own hands, nail a haircut, gain confidence, and become inspired. When I look around our salon, I see evolution, and the loyalty of my crew says a lot about the value of living a creative life, with gratitude and respect for what we are about, for how we approach our work, for what we do, and for our clients who make it all possible. We’re creating beauty, and it makes the world a better place.

Laurie Pruitt

partner

I am Larry’s life partner and business partner, and Folio is born of our two minds and hearts. I like to think of myself as the footnote to our creation with much of my contributions rooted in my work as an artist and photographer. I’ve photographed many of our beautiful clients and staff over the years, and when you walk into the salon, this is what you’ll see. I’ve learned through my art that beauty is not about trends, it’s the timeless qualities that endure and inspire.

To add another facet of creativity to Folio, I created the salon’s boutique element in 2000. I fill the boutique with unique objects, antiques, rare and unusual things that one can actually treasure. I like to include artisans, whose work comes from the love of making beautiful pieces by hand. I believe art is an important part of life—it enhances experiences, it inspires, and brings joy.

I share my time between Folio, and teaching photography at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Along with making handmade books, my photographs are represented at LaFontsee Galleries, in Grand Rapids, and Douglas, Michigan.

Dawn

stylist

I have been with Folio since 1999. This salon, its people, its energy, and its concepts define me not only as a professional, but also as a person.

After receiving my education and licensing, I moved from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo and had the good fortune to train with Larry Pruitt. This experience was the start of my real life education, where I honed my skills, and discovered the passion and artistry of styling.

Throughout my career, I’ve taken numerous classes to further my training and expertise in hair cutting, up-styling, texturizing, and color. I’m a former Aveda In-Salon Coach, and a current Goldwell Color Educator. After nine years of educating other professionals with Goldwell Color, I still continue to learn and enjoy the process and art of creating beautiful, dimensional hair color.

I now live in Canton, Michigan, but continue to work at Folio. I commute several days each month purely out of love for both the salon, and my clients here in Kalamazoo

Ashley

stylist

For me, being a hairdresser is not only about what inspires me, it’s also about who inspires me. When I began working at Folio in 2010, I trained under Larry Pruitt for well over a year, and my inspiration was born out of his mentoring and artistry. Now, so much of my professional creativity is sparked by aspects of each decade, where I can take elements of different periods and incorporate them into something fresh, yet still timeless. What I value most about my craft is that I can create that unique look for a client, yet I make it simple for them to style with little or no effort.

My first love is the art of men’s grooming, where the most subtle changes can absolutely transform a man’s look. My second love is the opportunity to change a woman’s “long hair don’t care” into a captivating style straight out of Victoria’s Secret magazine.

Christine

salon coordinator

I’ve been the Salon Coordinator at Folio since 1999. My job is to coordinate the schedules to keep everything flowing seamlessly, and to make sure our clients have the best experience possible. Since I love people, and I take such joy in sharing a small part of someone’s day, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect position for me.

I know how each of our stylists works; I understand their flow, their rhythm, and can sense their energy on any given day. That allows me to keep the salon running smoothly and maintain an upbeat atmosphere for everyone. When you step into Folio, you can tell that every member of our team truly loves coming to work. There’s a sense of unity and shared support that’s genuinely unique to our salon.

I grew up close to Kalamazoo, in Mattawan, Michigan. I’m the youngest of seven children in a very close family, and I try to bring that warmth to Folio every day. I feel my greatest accomplishment is my family, and that includes my Folio family.

Kristen

stylist

Folio has been my home since 2002. I love being a stylist, in part because of the close bond I have with my clients. I always rely upon a detailed consultation in order to create an individual style, placing high value on what my clients say, and understanding and respecting their distinctive hair. I’m deeply versatile and work with an array of color techniques, ranging from highlights and lowlights to custom blending and corrective color. When you sit in my chair, you’ll notice I never rush my services.

My foils are always precise and uniquely placed to best complement each haircut, and my attention for detail is impeccable. I also enjoy the artistry of creating up-dos and styles for weddings and special occasions.

I’ve had a passion for the hair and beauty industry for most of my adult life, but even at a young age, those around me could see what would someday become my destiny.

I’m committed to ongoing education, and regularly attend stylist events in Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York. I strive to stay on the forefront of my craft in order to provide excellent services and cutting-edge techniques.

One of the things I love most about being a stylist is “making someone’s day,”and though my clients may not realize it, they make my day, too.

Annette

salon coordinator

I joined the Folio team in 2014, after moving back to Michigan from Vancouver, Washington. I’d been working in the salon industry for many years, and the instant I walked into Folio, I knew that this was the place for me. I’m fortunate to have a gift for hospitality, and my position as Folio’s Salon Coordinator is the perfect fit for my personality. I try to make everyone’s visit a personal experience, as though they were a friend visiting my own home. In addition to my responsibilities as coordinator, I also greatly enjoy the boutique component of the salon. Working with display and merchandising is very natural to my creative side and I love keeping the boutique visually fresh with my own personal touch.

Opportunities

Folio is always interested in speaking with creative, motivated and committed industry professionals, who are interested in being part of our team. We also offer an extensive training program for stylists who have recently graduated, and are licensed. Please call 269-381-2461 to schedule an interview, or send resume to contact foliosalon.com, with “Stylist Opportunity” in the subject line

229 E. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

269-381-2461

appointments

To provide you with the personal service you deserve, we schedule all appointments by phone. This allows us to engage with your needs personally, and answer any questions you may have about our offerings.